Ken Fredrickson is a member of the elite International Court of Master Sommeliers and he currently operates Tenzing an artisanal wine and spirits importer and wholesaler in Chicago Illinois.

Fredrickson reached the ranks of Master Sommelier in 2000 following critical acclaim for his wine programs while working alongside world-renowned chefs Charlie Trotter, at Charlie Trotter's in Chicago and Las Vegas and Wolfgang Puck, at Spago and Chinois.

Most recently, Fredrickson’s investment group acquired a majority interest in the Brewer-Clifton Winery located in Santa Barbara County California. The iconic 20 year old winery is 100% Estate with 65 acres under vine. Concentrating on just Pinot Noir and Chardonnay Brewer-Clifton Winery has been reviewed in 2015 as the Robb Reports “Best American Pinot Noir” and the winery reached #8 in Wine Spectator’s top 100 wines of 2014.

Fredrickson is also a partner in Tokiwa Imports specializing in the importation and distribution of Japanese Whisky. Tokiwa is the exclusive North American agent for several family owned whisky producers.

Fredrickson’s adventurous spirit and passion for food and drink have led to extensive international travel. His willingness to try anything has taken him from bungee jumping to desert off-road adventure and track motorcycle racing. Ken enjoys collecting and drinking wine and he is also an avid cyclist and amateur triathlete. An Ironman “Silver” All World Athlete in the 2013 season culminated with an invitation to race Kona as an Ironman Foundation representative. In 2013 Ken was the largest individual fund raiser worldwide for the Ironman Foundation surpassing $50,000.00 in support of the Mayo Clinic’s research in mood related illness.

Fredrickson has been a host lecturer for the Taste of Vail and has served as a featured speaker at the Texas Sommelier Conference, Jackson Hole Wine Auction, Telluride Wine Festival, Pebble Beach Food and Wine Festival and the American Distillers Institute Conference. In November of 2016 Ken was a wine host for the Caribbean Food and Wine Festival in Turks and Caicos.

He focuses his charitable efforts in support of advanced research into bipolar and mood related illness through the Mayo Clinic in Rochester MN, Pilot Light Chicago promoting nutritional advancements in the Chicago Public Schools through education and No Kid Hungry a joint effort with Share Our Strength to end childhood hunger in America.